TRENDS AND ISSUES FOR ECOTOURISM & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM Dr. Kelly S. Bricker
Extraordinary travel meets endless possibilities Uniting Conservation, Communities, and Sustainable Travel "RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL TO NATURAL AREAS THAT CONSERVES THE ENVIRONMENT AND IMPROVES THE WELL-BEING OF LOCAL PEOPLE." (TIES, 1990)
The International Ecotourism Society Founded in 1990, Network NGO Dedicated to promoting ecotourism Members from around the world(over 90 countries): tour operators, lodge owners, affiliated businesses, universities, NGOs, associations, professionals, travelers. Mission: Engage, Educate, Inspire
EXAMPLES OF GLOBAL & LOCAL EVENTS Global Network: ESTC Conference, Ecotourism Associations, Travel Green Guide, Eco Travel 360 Educational Programs: ESTC Conferences, Workshops, UCC Mainstreaming Sustainability: ecodestinations, support the GSTC
UNITING STUDENTS & PROFESSIONALS FOR GREAT OPPORTUNITIES!
YOUR TRAVEL CHOICE SHOULD BE UPDATED! VOLUNTOURISM GUIDELINES POSTED
TRENDS
Consumer Behavior Trends Green travel is here to stay: 24% reported green is highest it has ever been in 10 years; 51% reported that interest remains constant (Travel Guard Update, April 2013). 38% TAs noted archeological/caves; 22% wildlife and birds; 18% visiting national parks; 16% culture and communities. TAs report popular destinations: 49% Costa Rica, 12% South Africa, 8% Galapagos Islands, 7% Peru, 6% Belize (all others 5%). TAs report high percentage interested in giving back! 45%, volunteer activities commonly take place 25% are interesting activities for a day or two (Travel Guard Update, April 2013).
TRENDS-CONSUMER STATISTICS 93% of Conde Nast Traveler readers surveyed in 2011, travel companies should be responsible for protecting the environment 58% said their hotel choice is influenced by the support the hotel gives to the local community Trip Advisor-survey 2012, 71% said they plan to make more eco-friendly choices in the next 12 months, compared to 65% that did so in the past 12 months 2012 Nielsen Wire Survey -66% of consumers around the world say they prefer to buy products and services from companies that have implemented programs to give back to society. -Forty-six percent are willing to pay extra for CSRs Photo-Greg Corio
Consumer Behavior Trends Social Media Travelers are employing technology as part of the experience Possibilities for citizen science Used for pre-trip planning, communicating, and post trip. Photo-Greg Corio
TRENDS Experiencing & Learning Consumers are demanding more individual and authentic travel experiences (ITB 2012) Nature-based, Culture, Adventure 10 million US travelers in total. Human powered activities as a trend input increased in 2012, 141.9 million highest participation level in 6 years
TRENDS Break down Barriers to Travel In Europe alone, 80 million people with disabilities, with traveling companions, 133 million people. -Good to invest in tomorrow s customer, 10% of travelers have some form of disability or longterm health problem. (ITB 2012) Photo-Greg Corio
TRENDS Break down Barriers to Travel -Given the aging market, demand will grow in years to come. -Create sufficient facilities throughout the value chain (ITB 2012)
It s a jungle out there TRENDS 32% Agents stated that clients are concerned about suffering injury in remote locations; flight delays or cancellations; inclement weather; contracting a tropical disease; unexpected trip cancellations. 94% of Agents responded that clients typically purchase travel insurance. (Travel Guard Update, April 2013).
TRENDS TRAVELER STATISTICS Eco-conscious consumers travel more frequently than the average consumer. During 2009, nearly 76% took at least two vacations away from home and 22% took five to eight vacations during that time. CMIGreen Traveler Study 2010. Volunteer vacations growing. 2009 Conde Nast Readers poll, 47% of those who responded said they are interested in volunteer vacations and 98% of those who had volunteered said they were satisfied with their experience. TIES Volunteer Guidelines: In April 2012, the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) undertook a survey of over 140 members, who are tour operators working in the adventure travel sector. According to ATTA s report, 55% of those surveyed currently run volunteer trips ; of the remaining 45%, over 41% of them are considering [volunteer trips] for the future. Reasons cited for this included growing awareness and demand for giving back as well as consumer trends towards local and sustainable initiatives. Source: www.adventuretravelnews.com/results-are-in-atta-survey-on-voluntourism Photo-Greg Corio
TRENDS TRAVELER STATISTICS More than 25% - direct benefits to travel was to destination communities and economics. Nearly 50% said that travel inspired awareness of environmental diversity, promotes a culture that values the environment, and the importance of protecting endangered locations, species, cultures Increased number of respondents who acted on their environmental concerns while they traveled (37%, up 5% from last survey) Nearly 30% did not know how! Photo-Greg Corio
ISSUES & CHALLENGES FACING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & ECOTOURISM
CHALLENGES OF ECO-RURAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
CHALLENGES
BENEFITS OF ECOTOURISM ON BIODIVERSITY Source of financing Justification for conservation Provides local people with economic alternatives Creates constituency building
LIMITATIONS OF TOURISM INDUSTRY ACTION Lack of interest amongst stakeholders such as investors, shareholders, and suppliers. Factors beyond the control of the private sector enterprise, such as government policy. The need to respond to actions of competitors. The need to promote and verify the GSTC destination and other sector involvement.
LACK OF CONSISTENT DATA TO VERIFY CLAIMS AND ACTION While ecotourism and sustainable tourism are recognized as an important, growing tourism segment, primary research to quantify the size and scope of the market in the USA or internationally is lacking Work with UNWTO to collect consistent visitor data, at least from primary markets; Infuse TIES with grants to collect and distribute data;
MARKET DATA NEEDS Size of market Analysis of behavior patterns including online behavior and social networking sites Activities Purchasing patterns Socio-demographics Other?
DESTINATION DATA NEEDS Number of operators within a region Tracking economic, environmental, social indicators Consistent reporting of indictors to track over time
WHAT IS ADVENTURE TRAVEL?
ADVENTURE AND VOLUNTEER MARKET STATISTICS-2013 $263 Billion in global spending 42% of travelers from regions reported an adventure activity as the main activity of their last trip Average yearly growth of 65% Europe, N America, S American make up nearly 70 percent of the world s international tourism departure Increases due to two ideas: 1) consumer demand for natural and cultural discovery through physical activity; 2) Operators and destinations adapted SOURCE: Adventure Tourism Market Report, Study by George Washington University, Adventure Travel Trade Association, Xola Consulting; 2013
ADVENTURE TRAVELER SEGMENTATION BY ACTIVITY Hard Adventure: Mountaineering Caving Roped Climbing Soft Adventure: Cultural Activities Birdwatching Canoeing Cycling Horseback riding Safaris Mainstream Travelers: Cities Sun, Sand & Each Other
ADVENTURE TRAVELER SEGMENTATION EVOLVES TO VALUES + = Eco-Traveler Seeks connection with authenticity of people and nature Adventure Traveler Seeks connection with nature via thrilling activities Eco-Adventurer Seeks authentic, thrilling and/or awakening activities
World Travel Market 2013 Travel with Meaning http://www.travelchannel.com/video/traveltrends-2013-ecotourism
TRENDS PRESENTATION Sources: The Case for Responsible Travel: Trends & Statistics 2012, by the Cent for Responsible Travel National Parks ATTA Market Studies 2009/2013 The Center for Hospitality Research ITB World Travel Trends Report UNEP s Green Economy Report Outdoor Industry Foundations 2012 Report APEC 2013 Recent books including: Sustainable Tourism and the MDGS: Effecting positive change; Ecotourism & Sustainable Tourism in Indonesia; Opportunities and Challenges of Ecotourism in ASEAN Countries; Ecotourism Destinations in Archipelago Countries
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WHAT IS THE GSTC? GSTC is the international body for promoting the increased knowledge, understanding and adoption of sustainable tourism practices Represent UN agencies, leading travel companies, hotels, country tourism boards and tour operators Promotes adoption of universal sustainable tourism principles Develops tools and training to engage in sustainable tourism practices Increases the demand for sustainable tourism products and services
IT HAS THE POWER TO CREATE CHANGE ON A GLOBAL SCALE. Preserve destinations for generations to come Revitalize local economies and communities Alleviate poverty Safeguard our cultural heritage Help reach the UN Summit s Millennium Development Goals Create jobs within and beyond destinations Keep tourism dollars within destinations Bruno Maia/Naturezafotos.org
GSTC CRITERIA: GLOBAL INPUT. GLOBAL STANDARD. Establishment of GSTC Criteria: Outreach to 80,000 constituencies 2,000 experts 18-month process 5 rounds 4,500 existing criteria analyzed 91% approval for any criterion ISEAL compliant
WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA? A universal language defining a minimum standard for sustainability Global principles that can be adapted to address local conditions and specific industry sectors A guideline for establishing programs Supporting the certifiers.
37 CRITERIA, 4 PILLARS. Sustainability Management Social & Economic Cultural Environmental Bruno Maia/Naturezafotos.org Bruno Maia/Naturezafotos.org
OVERVIEW OF GSTC DESTINATION CRITERIA Universal set of criteria and indicators that will help destinations advance work around the key pillars of sustainability and track changes occurring in destinations over time Collective of 45 criteria with 122 corresponding indicators organized around four key pillars of sustainability: Sustainable destination management issues Social and economic issues Community and cultural heritage issues Environmental Issues One global standard. Tuned to the needs of each place.
GSTC S EARLY ADOPTERS PROGRAM - OBJECTIVES 1. Conduct a destination good practices evaluation that will provide snapshot of the destination s readiness for destination criteria 2. Validate the range, applicability, and clarity of the criteria and indicators following ISEAL procedures 3. Provide recommendations to assist the destination transition to sustainable tourism
A. Jackson Hole Wyoming, USA B. Mt. Huangshan China C. St. Kitts and Nevis - Caribbean D. Fjords Norway E. Lanzarote Spain F. Okavango Delta - Botswana G. Cuzco Sacred Valley, Peru H. Lake District, Chile I. Fjords Norway J. South Sardina, Italy K. Naboisho Conservancy, Kenya L. St. Croix, Virgin Islands M. Sierra Gorda, Mexico N. Riviera Maya, Mexico
POSITIONED FOR SUSTAINABILITY Sustainability is a journey; lessons learned from elsewhere may help focus sustainability efforts Consumers expect it and long-term growth in value depends on it
Principles of Ecotourism Non-destructive use Protection and restoration of biodiversity Promotion of environmentally sustainable development Education and interpretation, awareness Direct economic benefit for local people, alleviation of poverty Health, well-being of stakeholders
Thank you!